Press Release

Philadelphia, PA - May 24, 2010 - To mark National Physical Fitness and Sports Month, Independence Blue Cross and the Pennsylvania Department of Health will applaud the success of the Active Schools Grant Program, which was designed to promote fitness and curb childhood obesity in Pennsylvania, at a special recognition ceremony today at Cedarbrook Middle School in Montgomery county.

Several Philadelphia Eagles and other guests will attend to recognize the school for its efforts in boosting physical activity among its students. The event will feature year-end student fitness assessments, including a climbing wall and other activities that were sponsored in part by the Active Schools grant.

The Active Schools program, launched in 2009, provides funds to selected middle schools in Pennsylvania to help them put in place programs to reduce childhood obesity and encourage students to engage in physical activity for at least 30 minutes a day. Independence Blue Cross is one of six organizations statewide that have agreed to provide a 2:1 match to the Department of Health funds, making each school eligible for up to $15,000. The funding is part of Independence Blue Cross's broader commitment to keeping kids healthy and preventing illness. For more information, read the 2009 press release announcing Independence Blue Cross's commitment to Active Schools.

George Graham, president of the Governor's Council on Physical Fitness and Sport

Several football players from the Philadelphia Eagles

Representatives from the state government and Independence Blue Cross

Seventh and eighth grade students and faculty from Cedarbrook Middle School.

Where: Cedarbrook Middle School
300 Longfellow Road
Wyncote, PA 19095

When: Monday, May 24, 2010
1:30 p.m. - 3 p.m.

About Independence Blue CrossIndependence Blue Cross is a leading health insurer in southeastern Pennsylvania. Nationwide, Independence Blue Cross and its affiliates provide coverage to nearly 3.3 million people. For more than 70 years, Independence Blue Cross has offered high-quality health care coverage tailored to meet the changing needs of members, employers, and health care professionals. Independence Blue Cross's HMO and PPO health care plans have consistently received the highest ratings from the National Committee for Quality Assurance. Independence Blue Cross is an independent licensee of the Blue Cross and Blue Shield Association. More information about Independence Blue Cross is available at www.ibx.com.